Automatic splicing device

ABSTRACT

An automatic splicing device ( 20 ) provided with a communication device ( 40 ) configured to communicate with a component mounter (M) or a host computer (HC) that is connected to the component mounter (M) such that communication is possible, a connection control device ( 100 [103] ) configured to control connecting of the a first tape (Tc) and a second tape (Tc), and a display device ( 90 ) configured to display information related to connecting of the first tape (Tc) and the second tape (Tc).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an automatic splicing device forautomatically connecting at a splicing position using splicing tape afirst tape and a second tape each provided with indexing holes andcomponent-storage cavities at a fixed interval.

BACKGROUND ART

In component mounters, generally carrier tape wound around a reel is fedby a feeder and components stored in the carrier tape are mounted on aboard. In a component mounter, when the trailing end of the carrier tapeis approaching and components are about to run out, as disclosed in PTL1 for example, a host computer that manages the mounting line sends acomponent replenishment notice to a portable terminal being carried byan operator of the mounting line. Then, the operator, upon receiving thecomponent replenishment notice, stops operation of the mounting line,goes to the relevant component mounter, and performs reel exchange atthe feeder for which components are going to run out. However, theoperator must stop operation of the mounting line whenever performingreel exchange, which lowers production efficiency.

For this, for example, a component mounter disclosed in PTL 2 isprovided with a feeder and a gantry robot connected to an interface,such that operation of a feeder about to run out of components isstopped, and the feeder is supplied with a new reel by the gantry robot.With this component mounter, only the feeder about to run out ofcomponents needs to be stopped, it is not necessary to stop operation ofthe mounting, thus lowering of production efficiency is curtailed.However, recently, further improvements to production efficiency aredesired.

Thus, an automatic splicing device that does not require operation of amounting line or operation of a feeder to be stopped has been proposed.For example, an automatic splicing device disclosed in PTL 3 is placednear a component mounter, and an operator inserts a leading end ofcarrier tape of the same type as a carrier tape at the component mounterabout to run out of components into one side of the device and insertsthe trailing end of the carrier tape at the component mounter about torun out of components into another side of the device. Then, theautomatic splicing device cuts between an empty cavity and a cavitystoring a component of both carrier tapes, and automatically connectsthe tapes at the cut locations using splicing tape.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: JP-A-2006-72643

PTL 2: JP-A-2005-539370

PTL 3: JP-A-H4-243757

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

With an automatic splicing device as above, even when a check of whetherthe components stored in the carrier tape about to run out of componentsand the components stored in the new carrier tape are of the same typeindicates a mismatch, that is, even when a verify check fails, thecarrier tape about to run out of components and the new carrier tape areconnected anyway. In this case, a different type of component will bemounted by the component mounter, resulting in the production ofdefective products.

The present invention takes account of such problems, and an objectthereof is to provide an automatic splicing device capable of reliablyconnecting a first tape and a second tape that store the same type ofcomponent.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above problems, the present invention is an automaticsplicing device for automatically connecting at a splicing positionusing splicing tape a first tape provided with indexing holes andcomponent storage cavities at a fixed interval and a second tapeprovided with indexing holes and component storage cavities at a fixedinterval, the automatic splicing device including: a communicationdevice configured to communicate with a component mounter or a hostcomputer that is connected to the component mounter such thatcommunication is possible; a connection control device configured tocontrol connecting of the first tape and the second tape; and a displaydevice configured to display information related to connecting of thefirst tape and the second tape.

According to this automatic splicing device, because an operator is ableto visually check information related to the connecting of the firsttape and the second tape sent from the component mounter or the like,mistakes in connecting work are prevented, and connecting work can beperformed efficiently. Thus, at a component mounter, the occurrence ofdefective products can be prevented and production efficiency can beincreased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the configuration of an automatic splicingdevice and component mounter of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the tape connecting mechanism of theautomatic splicing device.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of carrier tape.

FIG. 3B is a view of the carrier tape of FIG. 3A seen from the side.

FIG. 4 shows a feeder to which a reel wound with carrier tape isdetachably attached.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating operation of the automaticsplicing device.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of first and second sprockets, first andsecond origin position detection devices, and first and second lightamount detection devices, and indexing of carrier tape.

FIG. 7 shows a detection state of the first origin position of firsttape indexing device immediately before leading end detection, and thefirst sprocket and carrier tape in this state.

FIG. 8 shows a leading end detection state, and the first sprocket andcarrier tape in this state.

FIG. 9 shows a detection state of the origin position of first tapeindexing device immediately after leading end detection, and the firstsprocket and carrier tape in this state.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview of Configuration of AutomaticSplicing Device

An overview of the configuration of an automatic splicing device of anembodiment is described below with reference to the figures. As shown inFIG. 1, automatic splicing device 20, as described in detail later, isprovided with reading device 30, communication device 40, display device90, and control device 100, and, as shown in FIG. 2, is a device thatincludes tape connecting mechanism W configured from first and secondtape indexing devices 50 and 51 and the like.

Automatic splicing device 20 indicates to an operator that components estored in carrier tape Tc shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B used on componentmounter M are going to run out by receiving an indication of such fromcomponent mounter M or host computer HC connected to component mounter Msuch that communication is possible via communication device 40 anddisplaying the indication on display device 90, and automaticallyconnects a trailing end of carrier tape Tc for which the components aregoing to run out to a leading end of new carrier tape Tc using splicingtape. Automatic splicing device 20 is configured to be loaded on a cartor the like, not shown, and movable between multiple component mountersM, so as to be transported to a given component mounter M and performconnecting of tapes.

Here, component mounter M is a conventional mounter that feeds carriertape Tc wound on reel 11 that is attached to tape feeder 10 (whichcorresponds to the “component supply device” of the present invention)shown in FIG. 4, and performs mounting by picking up component e fromcarrier tape Tc using a component transfer device, and transferring thepicked up component e to a conveyed board. Multiple such componentmounters M are lined up to configure a mounting line, and mountingcontrol device mc that controls component mounting of each componentmounter M performs communication of information such as mountingcomponent information with host computer HC.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, carrier tape Tc is long and thin witha specified width, and has multiple cavities Ct formed in a lengthwisedirection at a specified pitch Pt. Each of these cavities Ct stores acomponent e to be mounted on a circuit board. An upper section of cavityCt is open and is covered by top tape Tt that is affixed to an uppersurface of carrier tape Tc. Indexing holes Hc are formed at a specifiedpitch Pc in a lengthwise direction at one edge in the widthwisedirection of carrier tape Tc. Note that, in the present embodiment,carrier tape Tc that has a portion of multiple consecutive emptycavities Ct in which components e are not stored at a leading endthereof is used.

For carrier tape Tc, pitch Pt and the size of cavities Ct varies withthe size of components e, but the size and pitch of Pc of indexing holesHc is the same. Cavities Ct and indexing holes Hc are arranged with afixed positional relationship, and carrier tape Tc is formed such thatone cavity Ct each exists at a position the same as indexing hole Hc andat an intermediate point between adjacent indexing holes Hc, with aspecified pitch Pt (=Pc/2).

As shown in FIG. 4, carrier tape Tc is wound on reel 11. Reel 11 isremovably attached to tape feeder 10. Identifier 15 such as a barcode,on which is recorded tape identification information such as the type ofcomponent e stored in carrier tape Tc, is attached to reel 11. Providedin tape feeder 10 is tape indexing mechanism 13 for indexing carriertape Tc wound around reel 11 by a fixed amount each time and supplyingelectronic components e one by one to component pickup position 12provided at the tip section of tape feeder 10. Tape indexing mechanism13 is rotatably provided on the main body of tape feeder 10, and isprovided with sprocket 14 for engaging with indexing holes Hc of carriertape Tc and a motor, not shown, for rotating sprocket 14.

Reading device 30 is, for example, a barcode reader that optically readstape identification information of identifier 15 affixed to reel 11, andsends the information by a wire to communication device 40.Communication device 40 is connected by wire to reading device 30, and,for example, is a bridge-type device that communicates wirelessly withhost computer HC that manages mounting control device mc of multiplecomponent mounters M.

Display device 90 is, for example, a panel controller that displaysvarious information such as tape identification information ofidentifier 15 and information related to mounting components e atcomponent mounter M. Control device 100 controls reading device 30,communication device 40, display device 90, and tape connectingmechanism W, and is provided with communication control section 101,display control section 102, and connection performing section 103(which corresponds to the “connecting control device” of the presentinvention).

Communication control section 101 controls communication of data betweenreading device 30 and host computer HC that is performed viacommunication device 40. Display control section 102 displaysinformation such as tape identification information of identifier 15received from reading device 30 via communication device 40, andinformation of component mounting at component mounter M received fromhost computer HC via communication device 40, which is data sent fromcommunication control section 101, on display device 90 lined up inorder of highest priority, for example, in order of which component isdue to run out first.

Connection performing section 103 controls driving of tape connectingmechanism W based on a verification result of carrier tape Tc for whichcomponents are going to run out and identification information of newcarrier tape Tc, received from host computer HC via communication device40, which is data sent from communication control section 101. Also,connection performing section 103 detects the quantity of empty cavitiesCt that exist at the connection position of carrier tape Tc that isgoing to run out and new carrier tape Tc, and sends the quantity tocommunication control section 101. Communication control section 101sends the quantity of empty cavities detected by connection performingsection 103 to host computer HC via communication device 40.

Configuration of Tape Connecting Mechanism of Automatic Splicing Device

Described next is the configuration of tape connecting mechanism W ofautomatic splicing device 20. As shown in FIG. 2, arranged in housing 21(refer to FIG. 1) of automatic splicing device 20 are: first and secondtape indexing devices 50 and 51, first and second origin positiondetection devices 63 a and 63 b, first and second light amount detectiondevices 52 and 53, first and second cutting devices 54 and 55, first andsecond takeup devices 56 and 57, connecting device 58, control device100 (see FIG. 1), and so on.

First and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51 are each arranged atboth sides inside housing 21 and inside lid 22 (see FIG. 1). Further,first and second origin position detection devices 63 a and 63 b areeach arranged below first and second sprockets 61 a and 61 b, describedlater, of first and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51; first andsecond light detection amount devices 52 and 53 are each arrangedsandwiched between first and second detection positions Ld1 and Ld2 offirst and second conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b, which are describedlater, of first and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51, facingopposite in a vertical direction.

First and second cutting devices 54 and 55 are respectively arranged atfirst and second cutting positions Lf1 and Lf2 between first and secondindexing devices 50 and 51; first and second takeup devices 56 and 57are respectively arranged between first and second cutting positions Lf1and Lf2 between first and second cutting devices 54 and 55 and splicingposition LS; connecting device 58 is arranged between first and secondtakeup devices 56 and 57.

First and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51 are provided with firstand second conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b provided extending in ahorizontal direction towards the center from both ends of housing 21,first and second sprockets 60 a and 60 b arranged below first and secondconveyance paths 60 a and 60 b, first and second gear motors 62 a and 62b connected to first and second sprockets 61 a and 61 b, first andsecond tape detection devices 64 a and 64 b arranged above first andsecond conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b, and so on.

First and second cutting devices 54 and 55 are provided with first andsecond cutters 68 a and 68 b at first and second cutting positions Lf1and Lf2, a vertical driving mechanism, not shown, that moves first andsecond cutters 68 a and 68 b up and down, and so on. First and secondcutting devices 54 and 55 are configured to cut unneeded carrier tape ata cutting location.

First and second takeup devices 56 and 57 are provided with first andsecond takeup members 75 a and 75 b provided between first and secondcutting positions Lf1 and Lf2 and splicing position LS, a drivingmechanism, not shown, that drives first and second takeup members 75 aand 75 b, and so on. First and second takeup devices 56 and 57 areconfigured to each be capable of taking up unneeded cut carrier tape Tc.

Connecting device 58 is provided between first cutting device 54 andsecond cutting device 55 and formed therein is conveyance path 60 whichis a portion of first and second conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b.Connecting device 58 is configured to be capable of conveying carriertapes Tc along conveyance path 60 and connecting the carrier tapes Tcfor which the cut locations are aligned at splicing position LS which isat a central point of conveyance path 60.

In automatic splicing device 20, at the left and right sides of FIG. 2,two carrier tapes Tc to be spliced are each indexed at a specified pitchby first and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51, and information ofeach carrier tape Tc, that is, presence of carrier tape Tc, pitch Ptbetween adjacent cavities (also referred to as pitch Pt of cavities Ct),presence of a component e in cavity Ct (also referred to ascomponent-storing cavity Ct or empty cavity Ct), and the like, isdetected.

Then, leaving a specified quantity of empty cavities Ct among theconsecutive empty cavities Ct at the leading end of the carrier tape,the leading portions of the carrier tapes are respectively cut by firstand second cutters 68 a and 68 b of first and second cutting devices 54and 55, and the cut portions are respectively taken up by first andsecond takeup members of first and second takeup devices 56 and 57. And,protective tape affixed to splicing tape, not shown, that connects thetwo carrier tapes Tc is indexed in a direction perpendicular to theindexing direction of the carrier tapes Tc, and the cut ends of the twocarrier tapes Tc are connected to each other in connecting device 58using the splicing tape.

Operation of Automatic Splicing Device

Next, operation of control device 100 of automatic splicing device 20 isdescribed with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. Host computer HCidentifies the component mounter M with a reel 11 for which componentsare going to run out from component mounter information and so on sentfrom mounting control device mc of each component mounter M, and sendsmounter identification information of the component mounter M andcomponent identification information of the component that is going torun out to control device 100 of splicing device 20.

Control device 100 displays the mounter identification information ofthe component mounter M and the component identification information ofthe component that is going to run out received from host computer HC ondisplay device 90 (steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 5). Specifically,communication control section 101 mounter identification informationsuch as the name of component mounter M received from host computer HCand component identification information such sa the name and partnumber of component e to display control section 102. Then, displaycontrol section 102 displays the mounter identification information andcomponent identification information on display device 90, and in a casein which there are multiple component mounters M for which a componentis going to run out, or in a case in which there are multiple tapefeeders 10 for which components are going to run out in the samecomponent mounter M, displays the information on display device 90 inorder of highest priority, for example, in order of which component isdue to run out first.

An operator looks at display device 90 and checks the mounteridentification information and component identification information ofcomponents that are going to run out and moves a reel 11 wound withcarrier tape Tc that stores the appropriate component e and automaticsplicing device 20 to the appropriate component mounter M using thecart. Then, the operator removes reel 11 from the tape feeder 10 onwhich is loaded the reel 11 for which components are going to run out.Then, the operator uses reading device 30 to read the tapeidentification information such as the part number and name of componente of each identifier of reel 11 removed from tape feeder 10 and movedreel 11.

Control device 100 displays the tape identification information of eachreel 11 read using reading device 30 on display device 90 (step S3 ofFIG. 5), and sends the tape identification information to host computerHC (step S4 of FIG. 5). Specifically, communication control section 101sends the tape identification information of each reel 11 received fromreading device 30 to display control section 102 and sends the tapeidentification information to host computer HC via communication section40. Then, display control section 102 displays the tape identificationinformation of each reel 11 on display device 90. Also, host computerHC, after receiving the tape identification information of each reel 11,verifies the tape identification information, and sends the verificationresult to communication control section 101 via communication device 40.

Control device 100 causes display device 90 to display the verificationresult of the tape identification information received from hostcomputer HC (steps S5 and S6 of FIG. 5). Specifically, communicationcontrol section 101 sends the verification result of the tapeidentification information received from host computer HC to displaycontrol section 102. Then, display control section 102 displays theverification result on display device 90.

An operator, after looking at display device 90 to confirm that thecarrier tapes match, inserts the trailing end of carrier tape Tc of thereel 11 removed from tape feeder 10 and the leading end of carrier tapeTc of moved reel 11 into both sides of housing 21 of automatic splicingdevice 20.

Control device 100 determines whether the verification result indicatesa match (step S7 of FIG. 5), and in the case in which it is determinedthat the verification result indicates a match, performs control todrive tape connecting mechanism W and connect the two inserted carriertapes Tc (step S8 of FIG. 5), and sends tape connection information tohost computer HC (step S9 of FIG. 5). Specifically, communicationcontrol section 101 sends the verification result of the tapeidentification information received from host computer HC to connectionperforming section 103. Then, connection performing section 103, if theverification result is determined to indicate a match, performs controlto drive tape connecting mechanism W to connect the two inserted carriertapes Tc, detecting the quantity of empty cavities Ct at the connectionposition, and sending the quantity to communication control section 101.Communication control section 101 sends the quantity of empty cavitiesCt to host computer HC via communication device 40.

An operator, after completing connection of carrier tapes Tc, removesthe connected carrier tape Tc from automatic splicing device 20, andloads reel 11 on tape feeder 10.

Host computer HC, after receiving the quantity of empty cavities Ct fromcommunication device 40, sends the quantity of empty cavities Ct tomounting control device mc of the appropriate component mounter M.Mounting control device mc of component mounter M, after the connectionposition of carrier tapes Tc indexed from tape feeder 10 has reached thecomponent pickup position, performs control such that high speed tapeindexing is performed at tape feeder 10 for a portion corresponding tothe quantity of empty cavities Ct received from host computer HC. Then,when the empty cavities Ct have passed the component pickup position,the indexing speed of tape feeder 10 is returned to the originalindexing speed and component mounting continues.

On the other hand, in step S7, in a case in which control device 100determines that the verification result indicates no match, withoutdriving tape connecting mechanism W (step S10 in FIG. 5), a warning tostop connection is displayed on display device 90 (step S11 in FIG. 5),and processing returns to step S3. Specifically, connection performingsection 103, if the verification result is determined to indicate nomatch, without driving tape connecting mechanism W, sends a warning tostop connection to display control section 102. Then, display controlsection 102 displays a warning to stop connection on display device 90.

An operator, after looking at display device 90 to confirm the warningto stop connection due to the verification result indicating no match,checks reels 11 and so on, and after performing countermeasures such asreel exchange, re-reads the tape identification information usingreading device 30 and repeats the above processing.

Detection of Empty Cavities at Automatic Splicing Device

Next, detection of empty cavities at automatic splicing device 20 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 6. Multiple first and second teeth 67 aand 67 b are provided around the circumferential edge of first andsecond sprockets 61 a and 61 b at a pitch the same as pitch Pc ofindexing holes Hc of carrier tape Tc. In the present embodiment, firstand second teeth 67 a and 67 b are formed at an interval the same orlarger than the indexing pitch of carrier tape Tc. First and secondsprockets 61 a and 61 b are arranged below first and second conveyancepaths 60 a and 60 b such that first and second teeth 67 au and 67 burotated to be the uppermost of the first and second teeth 67 a and 67 band indexing holes Hcd of carrier tapes Tc inserted along first andsecond conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b are engageable.

First and second tape detecting devices 64 a and 64 b detect thatcarrier tapes Tc have been inserted. First and second origin positiondetection devices 63 a and 63 b detect one of first and second teeth 67and 67 b from the multiple first teeth 67 a and 67 b of first and secondsprockets 61 a and 61 b. In the present embodiment, the positions of themultiple first and second teeth 67 a and 67 b of first and secondsprockets 61 a and 61 b are defined as the origin positions of first andsecond tape indexing devices 50 and 51 respectively. Therefore, firstand second origin position detection devices 63 a and 63 b are sensorsthat detect multiple origin positions of first and second tape indexingdevices 50 and 51 respectively.

Then, first and second origin position detection devices 63 a and 63 bare arranged such that when the first and second teeth 67 ad and 67 bd(origin positions) rotated to the lowermost of the first and secondteeth 67 a and 67 b are detected, first and second teeth 67 au and 67 burotated to be the uppermost of the first and second teeth 67 a and 67 band indexing holes Hcd of carrier tapes Tc inserted along first andsecond conveyance paths 60 a and 60 b are engaged.

First and second light amount detection devices 52 and 53 detect theamount of light that passes through cavity Ct of carrier tape Tc indexedby first and second sprockets 61 a and 61 b. The light amount detectedby first and second light amount detection devices 52 and 53, when notpassing through carrier tape Tc, that is, in a saturated state,indicates maximum value Lmax, and for an empty cavity Ct indicates avalue smaller than specified value La. Also, value Lb smaller than theabove specified value La is set as a threshold and, when the detectedamount is smaller than La (<La), thus determines the tape portionbetween adjacent cavities Ct and component-storing cavities Ct.

Here, the detection positions (positions of sensor light axis S) offirst and second light amount detection devices 52 and 53 are arrangedsuch that when first and second teeth 67 ad and 67 bd (origin positions)of first and second sprockets 61 a and 61 b are detected at first andsecond origin position detection devices 63 a and 63 b indexing holesHcb of carrier tape Tc and cavities Ctb formed at the same position arealigned at the same position, that is, are arranged such that the amountof light passing through cavity Ctb can be detected.

In the present embodiment, because the position at which cavity Ctb andindexing hole Hcb at the same position are detected by first and secondlight amount detection devices 52 and 53 is defined as the tapereference position (position of indexing hole Hcb) of carrier tape Tc,the origin position of first and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51(position of first and second teeth 67 ad and 67 bd) has a fixedpositional relationship with the reference position (position ofindexing hole Hcb) of carrier tape Tc. Thus, a tape reference positionwith a fixed positional relationship to a first origin position isdecided based on a first origin position of first and second tapeindexing devices directly before detection of the leading end and firstposition of first and second tape indexing devices 50 and 51 when thedetection signal of the leading end of carrier tape Tc is received.

Operation for deciding the tape reference position based on the firstposition and first origin position is described next with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10. Note that, because operation for deciding the tapereference position is the same for carrier tape Tc inserted into bothsides of automatic splicing device 20, described in the following isonly operation for deciding the tape reference position for carrier tapeTc inserted from the right side in FIG. 2. Also, in the presentembodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, tape leading end Th of carrier tape Tcis taken as a portion of tape between cavity Ct of indexing hole Hc andcavity Ct adjacent to that cavity Ct as shown by the hypothetical line(single-dot dashed line).

FIG. 7 shows a state of detection of the first origin positionimmediately before detection of the leading end of carrier tape Tc. Inthis state, when lowermost first tooth 67 ad 1 of first sprocket 61 a isdetected by first origin position detection device 63 a, that is, whenthe position of tape leading end Th of carrier tape Tc when uppermostfirst tooth 67 au 1 of first sprocket 61 a and indexing hole Hcd1 ofcarrier tape Tc are engaged is separated from the detection position(position of sensor light axis S) of first light amount detection device52 by a quarter of a pitch (Pc/4) to the conveyance upstream side. Notethat, descriptions are given below with first tooth 67 a detected afterfirst tooth 67 ad 1 designated as 67 ad 1, and first tooth 67 au 1 toengage with indexing hole Hcd2 next designated as 67 au 1.

FIG. 8 shows a state of detection of the leading end of carrier tape Tc.That is, first sprocket 61 a is rotated distance Pc/4 from the detectionstate (detection of first sprocket 67 ad 1) of the first origin positionof FIG. 7, such that carrier tape Tc is advanced by distance Pc/4, andtape leading end Th has reached the detection position (position ofsensor light axis S) of first light amount detection device 52). Theposition of first tooth 67 ad 1 at this time is taken as the firstposition.

The reference position is decided by calculating the indexing amount ofcarrier tape Tc from the first origin position to the first position,that is, distance Pc/4, from the first origin position, that is, theposition at which first tooth 67 ad 1 is detected by first originposition detection device 63 a, and the first position, that is, theposition rotated distance Pc/4 from the position at which first tooth 67ad 1 is detected by first origin position detection device 63 a. And,the gap between adjacent origin positions, that is, the differencebetween distance Pc and indexing amount of carrier tape Tc from thefirst origin position to the first position, that is, distance Pc/4 iscalculated; that is, distance 3Pc/4, is calculated. Further, theposition of cavity Ct of carrier tape Tc positioned at the detectionposition (position of sensor light axis S) of first light amountdetection device 52 and indexing hole Hc at the same position whencarrier tape Tc has been indexed by calculated distance 3Pc/4 from thestate shown in FIG. 9 is decided as the tape reference position with afixed positional relationship to the first origin position.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which carrier tape Tc is positioned at the tapereference position. In this state, lowermost first tooth 67 ad 2 rotatedto be next after first tooth 67 au 1 of first sprocket 61 a is detectedby first origin position detection device 63 a, and uppermost firsttooth 67 au 2 rotated to be next after first tooth 67 au 1 of firstsprocket 61 a engages with engaging hole Hcd2 that is next afterengaging hole Hcd1 of carrier tape Tc, leading to the shown state ofdetection of the origin position immediately after detection of theleading end of carrier tape Tc. The position of tape leading end Th ofcarrier tape Tc at this time is separated from the detection position(position of sensor light axis S) of first light amount detection device52 by three quarters of a pitch (3Pc/4) to the conveyance downstreamside. Thus, the tape reference position is the position of cavity Ctbpositioned at the detection position (position of sensor light axis S)of first light amount detection device 52 and indexing hole Hcd0 formedat the same position.

Then, empty cavity Ct of carrier tape Tc is detected based on thespecified threshold value of the light amount used for determiningpredetermined empty cavities Ct, and tape portions (portions betweenadjacent cavities Ct) and component-storing cavities Ct, and the pitchPc of cavities Ct is calculated based on the detection frequency of theabove. Also, in a case in which a light amount smaller than thethreshold value for the light amount is detected consecutively, it isdetermined that the cavity Ct detected first is a component-storingcavity Ct. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the quantity of emptycavities.

Note that, in an embodiment described above, automatic splicing device20 is configured to be capable of communication with host computer HCvia communication device 40, but automatic splicing device 20 may beconfigured to be capable of communication individually with multiplecomponent mounters M. Also, in an embodiment described above, automaticsplicing device 20 is configured to communicate with reading device 30via communication device 40 using wired communication, but readingdevice 30 may be portable, and communication may be performed viacommunication device 40 wirelessly. In this case, display device 40 maybe configured to be provided on portable reading device 30.

Effects

Automatic splicing device 20 is for automatically connecting at asplicing position using splicing tape a first tape (carrier tape) Tcprovided with indexing holes Hc and component storage cavities Ct at afixed interval Pc and a second tape (carrier tape) Tc provided withindexing holes Hc and component storage cavities Pc at a fixed intervalPc, automatic splicing device 20 including: communication device 40configured to communicate with component mounter M or host computer HCthat is connected to the component mounter M such that communication ispossible; connection control device 100 (103) configured to controlconnecting of the first tape Tc and the second tape Tc; and displaydevice 90 configured to display information related to connecting of thefirst tape Tc and the second tape Tc.

According to automatic splicing device 20, because an operator is ableto visually check information related to the connecting of the firsttape Tc and the second tape Tc sent from the component mounter M or thelike, mistakes in connecting work are prevented, and connecting work canbe performed efficiently. Thus, at component mounter M, the occurrenceof defective products can be prevented and production efficiency can beincreased.

Also, because display device 90 displays information sent tocommunication device 40 and related to component e at component mounterM that is about to run out, an operator can visually check and reliablyverify that the component e stored in the carrier tape Tc prepared forconnecting is the same type as the displayed component e. Thus, atcomponent mounter M, the occurrence of defective products can beprevented. In this case, the information is displayed in order ofhighest priority. Thus, at component mounter M, production stoppages dueto components running out can be prevented and production efficiency canbe increased.

Also, automatic splicing device 20 is provided with reading device 30configured to read identification information attached to each of afirst reel 11 wound on the first tape Tc and a second reel 11 wound onthe second tape Tc, the identification information including informationof components e stored in each cavity Ct of the first tape Tc and thesecond tape Tc, and wherein display device 40 is provided on readingdevice 30, and displays the identification information read by readingdevice 30. By this, an operator is able to use reading device 30 to readidentification information of reel 11 at a storage location even in acase in which reel 11 wound on tape Tc to be prepared for connecting isstored at a location away from automatic splicing device 20.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10: tape feeder; 11: reel; 12: component pickup position; 15:identifier; 20: automatic splicing device; 30: reading device; 40:communication device; 90: display device; 100: control device; 101:communication control section; 102: display control section; 103:connection performing section; W: tape connecting mechanism; M:component mounter; HC: host computer; mc: mounting control device; Tc:carrier tape; Ct: cavity

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automatic splicing device for automatically connecting at a splicing position using splicing tape a first carrier tape provided with indexing holes and component storage cavities at a fixed interval and a second carrier tape provided with indexing holes and component storage cavities at a fixed interval, the automatic splicing device comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with a component mounter or a host computer that is connected to the component mounter such that communication is possible; a connection control device configured to control connecting of the first carrier tape and the second carrier tape; a display device configured to display information related to connecting of the first carrier tape and the second carrier tape, and configured to display information sent to the communication device and related to a component of the component mounter that is about to run out first; and a connection performing section configured to detect a quantity of consecutive empty cavities that exist in one of the first carrier tape and the second carrier tape that is about to run out first, and controlled based on one of the first carrier tape and the second carrier tape that is about to nm out first and the detected quantity of consecutive empty cavities, wherein the communication device is configured to send the detected quantity of empty cavities to the component mounter or the host computer connected to the component mounter such that communication is possible, wherein the component mounter is configured to perform tape indexing at a first speed and is configured to perform tape indexing at a second speed different from the first speed, and wherein the indexing at the first or second speed is based on a position of the consecutive empty cavities with respect to a component pickup position.
 2. The automatic splicing device according to claim 1, wherein the information being displayed by the display device is displayed in order of which component will run out first.
 3. The automatic splicing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a reading device configured to read identification information attached to each of a first reel on which the first carrier tape is wound and a second reel on which the second carrier tape is wound, the identification information including information of components stored in each cavity of the first carrier tape and the second carrier tape, and wherein the display device is provided on the reading device, and displays the identification information read by reading device. 